Best in Beauty: July’s Hottest Hair, Makeup and Skincare Tips

Try an Eye-Makeup Alternative

How’s this for an easy summer look? Skip the heavy-duty eye-makeup routine and just slip on a pair of big retro shades like Rihanna’s. The idea behind this new twist on the classic “I’m trying to avoid the paparazzi” big-sunglasses look is to match the shades exactly to your outfit, so they become almost like eyeshadow, adding color and drama to your face. Bold shades like Rihanna’s make such a big statement that the only other makeup you need is a little lip gloss—and you’re good to go!

Bring on the Blond

For you brunettes wanting to bring out your inner California girl this summer, look to Beyoncé—who recently showed off her new highlights at the BET Awards—for inspiration. To get a similar look, colorist Jason Backe at Ted Gibson Salon suggests dark brunettes lift their base color to a rich medium brunette using a single-process color. (This shift creates a warmer allover color that pairs more easily with golden shades.) Then add bold, sun-kissed-looking highlights throughout the hair and the front-most sections—not just at the part, a method that can look streaky. The result is a natural, summery look that still feels true to the base brunette shade.

Say Oui to a Sophisticated French Accent

Some hard-core polish buffs—you know, ladies who change their nail shades several times a week, who have already tried Minxing and who mix their own polishes at home—might think that the white-on-natural French is super basic, but I’m here to tell you that there are plenty of variations on the classic French. Take the look Real Housewives of Orange County star Gretchen Rossi recently wore: She used an iridescent pink topcoat on her French. (Goes nicely with her hunk of a diamond, doesn’t it?) Even if you don’t have major bling, this subtle twist on the classic French will make your fingertips sparkle. To get the look, try Essie Pinkadelic over white tips.

Summerize Your Bangs

I love Nicole’s boho waves, but it’s her sleek bangs that make her ‘do look so polished. As anyone who has ever had fringe knows, bangs are tough in summer. They can stick to your forehead or frizz up in odd cowlick shapes. Not cute. To get a Nicole-like look, Aveda hair pro Pearson Knight suggests applying a root-lifter to wet bangs. The lifter will to give them “guts without grease.” Next, blow them out by lifting them up a little at the base with a round brush, to keep them slightly off your skin. Then—here’s the trick—do the 360-degree hairspray treatment: Spritz on both the top and underside of the bangs very lightly with a dry-hold hairspray like Air Control by Aveda (which is less wet and sticky than a lot of other sprays) to make them humidity-proof.

Summer Hair on a Shoestring

Who needs a fancy headband when a plain old ribbon will do? Emma Watson turned up at the Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince premiere with a just a simple string tied around her loose, wispy updo. This is a sweet and easy trick that anyone could use to—ahem—tie together a summery look. Just choose a string or ribbon in the same shade as something you’re wearing, be it the print on your sundress, your sandals or even your nail polish!

A Cool Shadow Trick You Won’t Forget

AnnaLynne McCord’s sexy eye makeup look can be achieved by creating what I like to call an “eyeshadow sandwich.” I know it sounds silly, but the name makes the technique super easy to remember—and get right. You just need two shades: a light highligher shade—that’s the “bread”—and slightly darker shade, like a bronze or a copper. Yup, you guessed it—that color is “the filling.” Start by applying the lighter shade on lids, then add the medium tone in the crease and slightly above the crease. Finish up with more highlighter right on the brow bone. Dab the highlighter in the inner V of your eye and add a thin line of eyeliner at the base of top lashes and finish with mascara.

Shine-Free Summer Skin

All that fun in the sun is great for your endorphins, but it can also put your oil and sweat glands into overdrive. So how do you get your glow on without looking oily? The City’s Erin Lucas—who’s spent a lot of time in the spotlight and in New York’s steamy summer temperatures—told me her summer beauty secret: “I love Neutrogena Shine Control Blotting Pads,” she says. “Covering up oily skin with more powder never works—it always looks fake. So I carry these around in my bag.” And here’s the extra-special bonus: The pads are currently on sale! Check ‘em out.

The Unscary Way to Wear Bright Lips

One of this summer’s mega trends is the high-impact mouth, in fuchsia, red-carpet red or peppy coral, as Hayden Panettiere demonstrated recently. If stepping out with bold look-at-me lips seems as scary as skydiving, here’s a trick for you first-timers: Slick your mouth with clear gloss, blot and then apply the strong lip color, says makeup artist Luba Tdoorova at the Laura Geller Makeup Studio in New York. The glossy bottom layer of gloss will tone down the lip color a bit so it looks less intimidating—both to you and to that special someone at the end of the bar.

A Gossip Girl’s Rock-Star Hair, Made Easy

Call me crazy, but the best thing about summer might just be the fact that Gossip Girl starts filming again—which means there are dozens and dozens of new beauty looks for us to drool over. Starting with Taylor Momsen’s new ‘do: Gone is her Carol Brady-like short cut. Now Little J is working a big blond mane in a totally trendy shade: Despite the high upkeep cost, New York celeb colorist Sharon Dorram says, “I’m seeing a demand for platinum tones.” To DIY Momsen’s edgy style, steal her loose bedhead waves by spritzing a little texturizing wave spray like Frédéric Fekkai’s Coiff Oceanique Tousled Waves or Beyond the Zone Beach Spray to give hair a little extra oomph.

Getting Cheeky: How to Apply Blush Like a Red-Carpet Pro

Ever wonder why, after adding some color to your cheeks, you don’t look as sunny and radiant as Rachel Bilson and Kristen Bell? (I know I do!) Turns out it takes more than just a sweep of powdery blush to get that gorgeous summer glow. “For the red carpet, it’s a three-step process,” says Mark celebrity makeup artist Mai Quynh. First, “apply a shimmer product like Mark Glow Xpert Face Shimmer in Candle Glo above your cheekbones, using a foundation brush for exact placement. Then apply your favorite summer blush or bronzer on your cheeks as usual, and use any excess powder left on the brush on your forehead and chin. Finally, dust a gold shimmer powder like Mark Good Glowing Mosaic Blush in Sun Love Glo, right on the apples of cheeks.” And the best part? Mai’s picks are under $10 each!

The Sexy Summer Ponytail

In case you haven’t noticed, ’80s-inspired asymmetry is everywhere this summer, from the solo-earring look to one-strap dresses and swimsuits. And it works in the beauty department, too, as Rashida Jones shows with her side ponytail. With a slight wave and bangs swept gently to one side, it’s a lot softer (and more flattering) than the super-tight cheerleaderlike ‘dos the ’80s club kids wore in the Hey, Mickey music video (if you haven’t seen it, get thee to YouTube for a good laugh). Plus, the asymmetrical pony lets you show off your neck and collarbone—a low-key, sexy move that never goes out of style.

When It Comes to Eyebrows, Sometimes Bigger Is Better

Want to change up your look without spending any money? Well, here’ s one free trick: Grow out your brows! No need to transform ‘em into big, bushy numbers; just put down the tweezers long enough to get a strong, defined look like model Miranda Kerr’s. Makeup artist Rose Marie Swift, who often works with Kerr, explains that the trick to making the bold brow work is to skip heavy eye makeup and sport bright lips instead. The unexpected combo “makes it more modern,” says Swift. “I believe strong brows are coming back for fall.” That means it’s time to get growing, ladies! Once you get full brows like these, all you need is a sheer bronzy cream shadow to set them off, like RMS Beauty’s Spark, a favorite of Kerr’s.

A Hair Color to Love-Love

It’s hard to figure out which part of Serena Williams’ fab new ‘do to compliment first. The cut? The curls? The gorge color that catches the light just so? If you chose door No. 3, here’s some helpful hair color info for you: “Her color is perfectly in line with the trend of the moment,” says Ted Gibson Salon celeb colorist Jason Backe. “The highlights are all coming from the interior, not from the hair line or part, which is a very modern way to do highlights.” And if you’re considering getting the tennis star’s sexy bob yourself, Ted Gibson recommends creating a few curls around the face with a curling iron to add volume, then finishing with one of his styling sheets to smooth and calm frizz.

Bedhead Hair, Redefined

While I can’t tell you how she got her Victoria’s Secret-worthy curves (that’s Vitamin G territory), I can fill you in on how to score model Marissa Miller’s voluptuous hair. The supermodel tells me she sleeps on a silk pillowcase to prevent split ends and also uses a leave-in conditioner, just on the ends, to keep ‘em strong. So maybe there is something to that whole beauty sleep thing after all? To score some multitasking z’s, try these satin cases from Target.

Another Good Reason to Get Bangs

Sure, they look stylish, but there’s more to the bang trend then meets the eye—or the eyebrow, as the case may be. New York City dermatologist Debra Jaliman says they’re one of the best antiaging tools out there! Turns out, heavy bangs like Jennifer Lopez’s help block harmful, wrinkle-causing UV rays. So to help keep those pesky worry lines away—or to hide a few if you’ve already got ‘em—try heading to the salon, stat. Take that, Botox!

A Cool Way to Reuse Your Bronzer

We’ve talked a lot about how peachy and pink hues have replaced the bronzed summer look, but there’s one place where bronzer still rules—on the eyelids. Lots of stars are using it this season, as it has more shimmer and shine than other neutrals like brown and taupe. As you can see from Alicia Keys’ pretty peepers here, it really makes your eyes sparkle. Get the look with a bronzer like Physicians Formula Shimmer Strips, applying it on the lids, up into and slightly above the crease. Then use a luminous champagne-color shadow or highlighter right under your brows (the lightest strip in the Physicians Formula kit would work well). Summer eyes don’t get any easier—or sexier!

The Hip Bad Hair Day Fix

I have to admit that the crafty little style move Eva Mendes made at a recent film festival is downright genius. She posed for the paparazzi with her rose-tinted sunglasses perched on her head, which not only glammed up her simple pony but also drew attention to her eyes and subtly matched her lip color. Even if your shades and gloss don’t match, keep this style trick in mind the next time you need to look cute in a hurry; it’s a quick cheekbone-picker-upper that makes you look as though you’re ready for some warm-weather fun. And who isn’t these days?

Got a Straightener? Get Some Curls

Believe it or not, a lot of those gorgeous curls you’re seeing everywhere are actually created with a straightening iron. Sounds crazy, right? I’ve tried to create the kind of summer curls that actress Kasia Smutniak recently sported, but I couldn’t pull ‘em off until I learned this secret from stylist Karmella Lovino of New York’s John Sahag Workshop: To get this kind of bouncy, round curl, wrap your hair around a straightening iron as if you were streaming a ribbon around scissors to curl it. She recommends wearing a thick fabric glove until you get the method down so you don’t burn your hand. (Another hint: While not as cute, a pot holder will work just as well.)

Wanna Get a Head Start on Fall? Try This Haircut.

If you’re shopping for a new short haircut, this might be just the thing for you: Identical twin singer sisters Natalie and Nina Sky of the group Nina Sky already have their fall haircuts—new stacked and layered bobs created for them by John Sahag stylist Karmela Lozina (yes, she of the aforementioned straightening-iron-as-curling-iron fame). Edgier than last season’s bob, this look works perfectly with all of fall’s edgy ’80s-inspired clothes and accessories. While Nina’s shaved and piecey ‘do (she’s the brunette) might be tough for non-rock stars to pull off, Natalie’s choppy bob with blond-on-blond highlights looks pretty and fresh—a fun twist on the bowllike Katie Holmes-ish bobs we’ve been seeing lately.